At Home Gel Shellac Nail Polish Kits

Gel/Shellac Polish at Home Kits

I don't know about you but to me going to the nail salon to get my nails done was bothersome. I used to sit there and think of the other 5 places I needed to go to. Even if you make an appointment you could still be stuck waiting and waiting to be taken, which to me was a great waste of time. The frustration of running your errands around when the salon opened and wouldn't be as busy was a pain.  I would endure this over and over again because I liked the way my nails looked. I realize some people love going to get their nails done and find it relaxing and rejuvenating. I am just not one of those people. 

I like the new gel or shellac as some people call it. I used to get acrylic nails but once I found out about gel/shellac polish I was sold. I never really was the type to get designs or nail art. I liked simple french tips or solid color polish, so gel/shellac polish was perfect for me. 

I heard about kits to do gel/shellac at home but I continued to go to the salon and spend the time and money. I looked into but found it to be expensive like $80 for the starter kit and light needed to set the nails. What was the big expense was the light you absolutely need in order to set the nails. So I decided to keep going to the salon and spending the money and time.

A few months ago I decided to look into the kit again and found my local Sally Beauty Supply store had a sale going on. If you buy the LED lamp you get the gel/shellac kit for FREE. Is the lamp cheap? No. However it did make the entire purchase worthwhile and it also made me willing to take the chance and try doing my nails at home. I knew I would save money if I did my nails at home and I could do them whenever I wanted. I could do them while watching TV at 10 at night or whenever. 

I bought the ASP Mini LED Lamp for $59.99 I got the kit for free and I bought an extra nail polish. I got the ASP LED/UV Gel Polish Manicure Kit for free but if I had to purchase it the amount it sells for is 32.99. I spent a total of $69.00 and I had everything I needed and an extra nail polish. This isn't bad if you consider how much you spend to have your nails done at the salon. 

I tried it and it was easy and works great. The results are the same as the salon, it lasts as long as 2 weeks just like my salon gel/shellac polish. It doesn't chip anymore or less than the salon. It is an all around win. I am saving money by doing my own nails.  I have bought additional nail polish but the kit comes with 1 red nail polish and I wanted a few different choices. If you are wondering there is a lot of various polish colors to pick from the answer is yes. 

I keep track of how much I am saving and even with the additional polishes I am still saving. What I love about it is I can do my nails whenever I want. I don't have to wait for the salon to open or my schedule to open up. I have done my nails at 7 in the morning because I had a bridal shower to attend and late at night when I finally had a chance to sit down.

I also save money because I know my salon charged to take off my previous gel/shellac polish. All they did was use 100% acetone and had me keep my nails in it for 10 to 15 minutes. Well I purchased 100% acetone nail polish remover at Walmart for 2 dollars and change. I take them off the same way my salon did by pouring a small amount into a bowl and soaking them.

So if your like me and didn't want to take the chance and spend the money on something that may or may not work. I am telling you I love it and it works. I give it 2 thumbs up. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Mrs. Fife 

Peach Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

Peach Strawberry Smoothie

Thought I would share the recipe for the smoothie I made for my kids this morning. They loved it and so did I.  

Here are the ingredients I used: 

2 cups of frozen peaches
1 cup of frozen strawberries 
1 cup of non fat vanilla greek yogurt
1 & 1/4 cup of apple juice

Place all ingredients into a blender and put on the smoothie/puree button. If your blender doesn't have that button just blend until all the fruit has been chopped and the smoothie is still thick.  You may want to add a tablespoon 

Here is what I love about smoothies you can add or substitute to suit your fancy. Like next time I may add a banana to this recipe. With this recipe you could use fresh fruit and regular plain yogurt. Greek yogurt isn't for everyone but I like it and I like for the kids to have the extra protein. 

I hope you like the smoothie. Thanks for Stopping by.


Mrs. Fife

Weekly Savings Plan. An Easy Way to Save $1,378 in 1 Year

Easy Weekly Savings Plan. Save $1,378 in 1 year. 

I heard about this great simple way to save $1,378 over a years time. Each week you save the amount of money that corresponds with the week number. Example in week 1 you add $1 to your yearly savings. Some people put the money in a jar, an envelope or their bank account.

I didn't start this on the first week of January so that the week of the year is the week you are on. I started it in October. I think by starting it then you can complete it before the holidays. Another idea is to start it your birthday week. When you complete it the following year you have a birthday present for yourself or someone else.  

Here are a few suggestions on what to do with the money:

-Use it to buy Christmas gifts so you don't go into debt.

-Donate it to your favorite charity.

-Pick someone else to give it to their favorite charity.

-Give it to a family in need. 

-Use it to bring down your debt. 

Here is how it works.

Week                         Amount to add to your savings                             Total Amount Saved

1                                         $1                                                                                $1

2                                         $2                                                                                $3

3                                         $3                                                                                $6

4                                         $4                                                                                $10

5                                         $5                                                                                $15

6                                         $6                                                                                $21

7                                         $7                                                                                $28

8                                         $8                                                                                $36

9                                         $9                                                                                $45

10                                       $10                                                                              $55

11                                       $11                                                                              $66

12                                       $12                                                                              $78

13                                       $13                                                                              $91

14                                       $14                                                                              $105

15                                       $15                                                                              $120

16                                       $16                                                                              $136

17                                       $17                                                                              $153

18                                       $18                                                                              $171

19                                       $19                                                                              $190

20                                       $20                                                                              $210

21                                       $21                                                                              $231

22                                       $22                                                                              $253

23                                       $23                                                                              $276

24                                       $24                                                                              $300

25                                       $25                                                                              $325

26                                       $26                                                                              $351

27                                       $27                                                                              $378

28                                       $28                                                                              $406

29                                       $29                                                                              $435

30                                       $30                                                                              $465

31                                       $31                                                                              $496

32                                       $32                                                                              $528

33                                       $33                                                                              $561

34                                       $34                                                                              $595

35                                       $35                                                                              $630

36                                       $36                                                                              $666

37                                       $37                                                                              $706

38                                       $38                                                                              $741

39                                       $39                                                                              $780

40                                       $40                                                                              $820

41                                       $41                                                                              $861

42                                       $42                                                                              $903

43                                       $43                                                                              $946

44                                       $44                                                                              $990

45                                       $45                                                                              $1,035

46                                       $46                                                                              $1,081

47                                       $47                                                                              $1,128

48                                       $48                                                                              $1,176

49                                       $49                                                                              $1,225

50                                       $50                                                                              $1,275

51                                       $51                                                                              $1,326

52                                       $52                                                                              $1,378

Have you heard of this? Have you done this? What did you do with the money at the end of the year? 

Thanks for stopping by,

Mrs. Fife

Turn the Small Stuff into Memories

It is snowing here and not just a little snow I mean a lot of snow. So it was a perfect day to do another one of our traditions. Every year it seems we get a nice snow fall during Christmas break. Considering what part of the country we live in that isn't a big shock. When that day comes we go outside as a family and play in the snow. Have a snow ball fight, make snow angels and play around. It usually doesn't last too long before someone is cold and ready to go inside. We all go in then and have hot chocolate together. 

It doesn't sound like a big deal but it means a lot to the kids and us. We have pictures of the kids and dogs playing in the snow since they were toddlers. I know I have said this before but it is true and worth saying again. It doesn't matter how much money you spend, what matters is the memories you make with your kids. We go to those expensive events and I know the kids like them. It just seems to me they talk about these kinds of things more than the expensive family events. Make a tradition out of the small things you do together.   

It was just a coincidence that it always seemed to fall during Christmas break. However now we try to do it every year during these few weeks off.  This year it was a little different because Mr. Fife was working and Fife3 was at his friends house. Maybe we will do it again when everyone is home. It is clear we have enough snow and it doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon. 

What are you doing with your kids while they are off of school? Hope you are enjoying your Christmas break.

Thanks for stopping by,

Mrs. Fife 

Our Year in Review

Our Year in Review

As the year comes to a close it made me think of everything that has happened in 2013. When I sat down to write this blog I was shocked with how much we did in 2013. I knew we were busy but I didn't know we were this busy. 

January 

-We started the year off with a splash at a pool party.

-We are back to soccer conditioning and practice.

February

-Valentine's Day parties and all the fun that come along with the holiday that is all about love.

-Went ice skating as a family. It was the first time Fife3 was on the ice. The kids loved having Mr. Fife out on the ice with them. I stayed on the sidelines taking pictures. Once again I should mention I have no coordination at all. 

-Fife1 &2 played in an Indoor National Soccer Tournament. There was teams from all over the country and a few from other countries. It was really something special to be in a tournament like this one. 

-Went to see the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

March

-Every Palm Sunday we have a ladies luncheon for our family. I will go into this in another post. This year we had the best one ever. It will be hard to beat this years and the company that was there with us. My Mom plans this every year and she has done this for over 10 years. 

-Outdoor soccer season started for all 3 Fife kids. Fife2 played on 2 teams. 

-We had a great Easter and spent it with the people we love the most in this world. 

April 

-We began a house remodel. We remodeled 4 rooms in our house. It took longer than we thought and cost way more than we thought it would. 

-The kids were excited when they were on TV in a news report about their school. 

-Soccer is still in full swing. 

May

-Our kids friends made their First Communion. We were honored to share this day with them. 

-Fife1&2 play in another soccer tournament.

-Someone who is like another mother to me and a grandmother to my kids had her park dedication. It is an honor beyond words to have a park named after you. 

-First school dance for Fife1.

-Fife2 made her First Communion. It was a special day for her and meant so much to all of us. 

-Outdoor soccer season ends for all 3 Fife kids.

-Spring violin recital for Fife1&2. 

-Elementary school graduation party. We started planning this months in advance like 6 months in advance. There was some amazing moms who made this all possible N, R, K, J, you really did an amazing job. It was a lot of work for us parents but the kids loved it and will have those memories forever.

-Fife3 started his baseball season. This was the first year Fife3 played and did a great job.

June

-Elementary school graduation and awards ceremony. Fife1 made honor roll all year and won award after award. We couldn't be prouder of Fife1. Good job!!

-Mr. Fife's brother came for a visit. He lives in another state and the kids love seeing him. They love their uncle, his wife and 2 kids more than they know.

-Fife3 started playing the violin. 

-Fife3 started practicing for the fall football season. 

-Summer meant sleepovers and kids running all over our house. 

-Fife1&2 start soccer practice for the fall season.

July 

-Our Goddaughter made her First Communion. We are so proud of her.

-Fife1&2 still having soccer practice and conditioning. 

-I lost an amazing woman who helped shape me into the person I am today. She was strong, beautiful, compassionate, kind, caring and I had the privilege of being able to call her Grandma. She is missed everyday. I love you Grandma Helen. 

-We had a personal concert by a world class violinist on my moms front porch. It is nice to have friends who are super talented. She is like another mother to me also and is one of my moms best friends.

-Our kids were thrilled when their little cousin came for a visit. They love her so much and want us to have another baby because she is so sweet and precious. Her visit was a highlight of their summer. They love her so much.

August

-First soccer game of the fall outdoor season for Fife1&2.

-First football game for the year for Fife3.

-First day back to school.

-Fife3 made a touchdown and so it started his streak of touchdowns.

September

-The month is filled with soccer games and practices.

-This month is also filled with football games and practices.

-Fife3 made some more touchdowns. It was awesome to see the team play. They all have so much heart for the game.

October 

-Fife3's team finished the football season in first place.

-Fife3's team was in the playoffs and did an amazing job. Fife3 is really good at football. 

-Fife1&2 became altar servers at mass for the first time. We are so proud of them. 

-Fife1&2 started a great foot skills program I know it is going to improve their soccer game.

-Halloween parties and fun.

November

-All 3 Fife kids started taking ice skating lessons. Fife1&2 took ice skating lessons a few years ago but once they got so involved with soccer and cheerleading there wasn't time for skating.

-Fife1 auditioned and got a part in the school play.

-Spent Thanksgiving with our family. I love Thanksgiving and always try to remember to count my blessings all year. Count your blessings and they will multiple. Count your problems and they will multiple. Which would you prefer?

December

-Our family grew by 10 fingers and toes. Our nephew was born in early December and he is a gift from God. He is just precious.  

-Christmas concerts

-Winter violin recital  for all 3 Fife kids.

-Spent the holidays with our family and friends. We had a great time and made some great memories.

-We got to attend a birthday party for a friend I wrote about it in a previous post. At the birthday party we discovered a new sport whirlyball. It is so much fun.

-We are looking forward to fun and adventure that is to come in 2014.

I know there is stuff that I missed that I will think of tomorrow morning. There are some personal achievements that I left off because I don't know how comfortable they would be with sharing their experiences. How was your year? Did it go by fast or way too slow for your liking? Are you relieved 2013 is almost over or was it the best year of your life?

I hope everyone has a healthy, amazing, positive 2014. Thanks for stopping by I really appreciate it. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments. 

 Bye 2013 & Happy New Year,

Mrs. Fife